Summary: Statement by Amb. Valenzuela, Head of EU Commission Delegation to UN, at Ceremony for International Election Observation (27 October 2005: New York)
Statement by Mr. Fernando M. Valenzuela, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to the United Nations, at the Ceremony of Endorsement of the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, New York
Mr. Secretary General, Mr. President, Madame Secretary,
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honor and a great pleasure for me to address this Commemoration Ceremony of endorsement of the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation.
From the initial meeting at the Carter Center in Atlanta in 2003 to the Election Conference in Brussels in 2004, the European Commission has actively participated in the process leading to the elaboration of these Principles. The broad consensus reached today on the fundamental principles underlying international election observation efforts is an important milestone to enhance the credibility of this activity.
Genuine elections are an essential foundation for sustainable development and a functioning democracy. Support to election processes has become a key component of the European Union's external relations policy. In addition to the assistance provided to the organization of elections, Election Observation Missions are a important tool to support and promote democracy and human rights. Indeed, Election Observation Missions not only have the ambitious task of observing and reporting on elections,
but also of enhancing the transparency of the process and the confidence of the voters. They can serve as a conflict prevention mechanism, providing an impartial assessment of the election process, defusing tension and, by their very presence deterring fraud.
To meet these ambitious objectives, the European Commission has elaborated a thorough methodology for long-term and comprehensive election observation, endorsed by EU Member States and the European Parliament. I am proud to underline that the EU policy for election observation is fully consistent with the Principles contained in the Declaration before us today.
In this field, the European Union is in a unique position, as its election observation policy enjoys a global outreach. Deploying election observers is a way for us to support democratic processes worldwide, with the aim of making a positive contribution to the process. EU Election Observation Missions are deployed in a spirit of cooperation to assist our partner countries across the world in their objective to hold genuine and transparent elections.
Given this global perspective, it is vital that EU Election Observation Missions are undertaken in a consistent and coherent manner, and that they are not only genuinely independent and professional, but are also perceived to be so by all stakeholders. The European Commission will continue to abide by the key principles of independence, consistency, credibility and professionalism, as contained in the Declaration before us today, to ensure that international observation continues to make a
credible and useful contribution to election processes.
In this context, we are pleased to see that so many organizations have indicated their support of these principles and of this process of international cooperation on election observation. We hope that in time, all organizations involved in this activity will be able to subscribe and to uphold the principles contained in the said Declaration.
I just referred to the content of the Declaration as well as to the process, as it seems to me an excellent example of cooperation and coordination between the United Nations and regional organizations, as well as between leading inter-governmental and non-governmental bodies, as called for during the Summit here last month.
The process of endorsement of these Principles should remain open and inclusive, so that the "acquis" and best practices are shared as widely as possible, not just on paper but also in the field. Let me assure you that the European Commission will continue to work closely with all other organizations to implement and promote the highest standards of credibility and professionalism for international election observation. In addition to deploying its own EU Election Observation Missions, the
European Commission already provides extensive support and assistance for capacity-building to other international, regional and local observer organizations. In order to increase our own capacities, the European Commission is also pursuing through the NEEDS project regular training programmes for all categories of EU EOM personal, a unique effort among the observer organizations to the best of my knowledge.
As I mentioned at the beginning, the elaboration of this Declaration is an important milestone, but it is not the end of the process. We should all continue our efforts to maintain high levels of credibility in the face of sometimes difficult situations, as well as new challenges arising. The European Commission is today faced with the challenge of rising expectations -- we are receiving an every-increasing number of invitations to observe. This year alone, we will have deployed 12 full-fledged
EU Election Observation Missions, doubling our initial budgetary provisions, notwithstanding support provided to other organizations. At the same time, EU Election Observation Missions are deployed to more and more difficult situations, including post-conflict environments where security is a key concern for all actors of the election process, including observers. The European Commission is also pursuing its efforts to enhance follow-up to EU Election Observation Missions, including with the
systematic return of the Chief Observer to present in country the EU EOM's final report and recommendations. Finally, we are also starting to address new challenges, such as the observation of highly automated election processes or the participation of national minorities and indigenous peoples in elections. We look forward to discussing these issues in more detail at the working session later today.
Let me finish by expressing our deep gratitude to the UN Electoral Assistance Division, to the National Democratic Center and to the Carter Centre for pushing this important process along. We will continue to work very closely with all of you to ensure that international election observation remains a credible and effective tool in support of democratic processes and human rights.
Thank you for your attention.
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